Nine pagodas in Truong Sa special zone simultaneously rang bells to celebrate the day of "rearranging the country"

Early in the morning of July 1, reporters from the Vietnam Law Newspaper connected with abbots, officers and soldiers working on islands in the Truong Sa archipelago.

Đại đức Thích Chúc Thành thực hành kinh kệ trong Đại hùng Bảo điện chùa Sinh Tồn Đông. Ảnh: Trần Nguyên Phong

Venerable Thich Chuc Thanh practices sutras in the Great Hall of Sinh Ton Dong Pagoda. Photo: Tran Nguyen Phong

Venerable Thich Chuc Thanh - Abbot of Sinh Ton Dong island pagoda (Truong Sa special zone) said: As usual, this morning he still woke up at dawn to follow Buddhist chanting. But at exactly 6am, following the general direction of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the Venerable rang the bell three times and the Prajna drum resounded deeply to pray for national peace and prosperity, to arouse the strength of national unity, the sacred soul of the mountains and rivers of Vietnam and to welcome the first day of "rearranging the country", operating the two-level local government model in the whole country.

Not only Sinh Ton Dong island pagoda, all pagodas on Song Tu Tay, Nam Yet, Son Ca, Sinh Ton, Da Tay A, Phan Vinh, Truong Sa Dong, Truong Sa of Truong Sa special zone on the morning of July 1 simultaneously rang three bells and drums of Prajna.

Hiện huyện đảo Trường Sa có 9 ngôi chùa với vẻ uy nghi, trầm mặc. Ảnh: Trần Nguyên Phong

Currently, Truong Sa island district has 9 pagodas with majestic and quiet appearance. Photo: Tran Nguyen Phong

After ringing the bell and chanting prayers for peace, Venerable Thich Chuc Thanh used his phone to send congratulatory messages to many friends and relatives.

In the message, the monk wrote: “In harmony with the new atmosphere of the nation, I wish you to always keep your faith as if you were keeping your eyes, continuing to light the fire of dedication to your homeland. And no matter which homeland you are in, it is still the sky of the Fatherland Vietnam.”

Venerable Thich Quy Thai - Abbot of Sinh Ton Pagoda - added: "This is an extremely special historical event in the process of the nation entering a new era of prosperous development. With the tradition of Buddhism accompanying the nation in every stage of history, the simultaneous ringing of bells and drums of the Heart Sutra to pray for national peace and people's safety, chanting sutras... is a regular activity, many times on important holidays of the country and War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27 every year. However, there are rare occasions when pagodas across the country simultaneously ring bells at the same time." According to the Venerable, this action not only demonstrates the spirit of unity, with spiritual meaning, the bells and drums of the Heart Sutra resounding at all pagodas at the same time also demonstrate a united force, increasing the strength of spiritual beliefs.

Chánh điện chùa Song Tử Tây uy nghi. Ảnh: Trần Nguyên Phong

The majestic main hall of Song Tu Tay Pagoda. Photo: Tran Nguyen Phong

Currently, there are 9 pagodas on the Truong Sa archipelago. Like other rural areas on the mainland, on the islands, the image of pagodas has become a familiar presence in the lives of soldiers and people on the island.

All 9 pagodas on the archipelago are now restored with the overall structure, architectural style, appearance, proportions, and landscape of pure Vietnam. The construction is in harmony with the greenery.

In the middle of the vast ocean, the pagoda appears as a special sacred place, a spiritual landmark, a place to entrust good things, a solid support for the army and people on the islands to affirm the sacred and inviolable sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Vietnamese Fatherland.

Venerable Thich Chuc Thanh shared: “The pagoda is not only a place to worship Buddha, but also a bright light in the middle of the ocean. We preserve not only our faith but also our love for the ocean and our homeland. Under the roof of this pagoda, although far from the mainland, people’s hearts are always warm and peaceful, and we vow to give more strength to the cadres, soldiers and people on the island to preserve the sacred territorial sovereignty of the Fatherland.”